Southeast Area Twirlers earn honors

Several twirlers from the Southeast Area Twirlers have recently earned honors at various competitions.

The Southeast Area Twirlers Tiny Tot team competed in Memphis, Tenn., on March 11, earning first place in halftime show division, third place in a dance twirl routine, a first-place win of the day and the titles of twirl team champions and halftime show champions. Team members were Hannah Trautman, Megan Hawk, Sara Johnson and Paeton Outman.

Two team members also participated in the open show-twirl portion of the contest. Outman was awarded fourth place in her one- and two-baton routine. Trautman also performed one- and two-baton routines.

At the Memphis competition, Outman was also awarded three championship titles: beginner 7 to 9 grand champion, beginner 7 to 9 majorette queen and beginner 7 to 9 solo champion. She also placed second in strut queen and the challenger cup divisions and fourth in the open show-twirl division. She also returned home with nine first place wins in solo, best appearing, basic strut and hoop. She earned second place in the NBTA solo and two-baton divisions, and third place in military strut.

Three competition soloists also competed in Memphis against twirlers from five states. Outman, Abby Charlier and Brooke Slinkard took part in the individual portion of the contest. The girls competed in best appearing, basic/military/fancy struts, solo and novelty twirling categories.

Charlier earned a first, three seconds, a third and a fourth place in solo, as well as first place in military strut and flag, fourth in basic strut, and fifth place in best appearing. In the championship divisions, she placed seventh in majorette queen, sixth in strut queen and fourth in the solo champion division.

Slinkard returned home with five first-place solo wins. She also won second in WTA solo, fourth in best appearing, fifth in military strut and a participant award in basic strut. In championship divisions, she earned third-place honors in the solo champion category, fifth place in majorette queen and seventh place in strut queen.

The twirlers are under the direction of Kandi Staples of East Prairie, Mo., and Victoria Adams of Jackson. Enrollment for the 2006-2007 twirling year is underway. All new twirlers should register by May 31 for classes starting in June. For more information, visit the Web site at www.capejacksontwirlers.com or call Staples at (573) 649-2702.